C4C AMA: Ask me anything!

BMT (Lackland) is much more of a mental game... There's no fear of getting "washed back" during BCT and the mindset is way different. BMT is geared to setting you up for success as an enlisted airmen where as BCT is more dedicated to setting you up for success as a Cadet and future Officer.

It's also less intimidating after having been "trained" by "professional" MTI's ;)
 
Educated1 said:
Any prior enlisted here? How different was BCT versus BMT?
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I am prior enlisted. I can confidently say that there really is no comparison between the two. Like mentioned before, BMT was such a mind game that once you figured it out you could, not exactly skate by, but be proficient in staying under the radar.

BCT is more a physical sprint. Because there is only team punishment in BCT (as compared to the often only individual punishment of BMT), I found that my physical limits were tested to a much higher extent. Also, BMT pretty much prepares you to immediately enter the professional enlisted corp, while the Academy has you for another four years of character and personal development.

If you have any more specific questions, please send me a PM anytime.
 
what would you say was the single most difficult aspect of BCT?

Physcial training?, Yelling, Missing Electronics, Not being able to sleep in? Etc?
 
Educated1 said:
what would you say was the single most difficult aspect of BCT?

Physcial training?, Yelling, Missing Electronics, Not being able to sleep in? Etc?
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If it's missing electronics they must be an Adonis, have parents who yelled at them all the time, and never slept much because they were studying and working a part time job. :rolleyes:
 
kinnem said:
If it's missing electronics they must be an Adonis, have parents who yelled at them all the time, and never slept much because they were studying and working a part time job. :rolleyes:
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qft.

Everyone has that one thing that gets to them. Just do it. It doesn't last forever, and the rewards at the end are worth it.
 
Educated1 said:
what would you say was the single most difficult aspect of BCT?

Physcial training?, Yelling, Missing Electronics, Not being able to sleep in? Etc?
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For me personally, there were two hardest parts. One was the first week of BCT and that inital period of shock and adjustment, the second was the first time on the Assault Course.
 
FlyingFuzz said:
For me personally, there were two hardest parts. One was the first week of BCT and that inital period of shock and adjustment, the second was the first time on the Assault Course.
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I think that's: "ASSAULT COURSE SIR!" :biggrin:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
BlahuKahuna said:
I did more soul searching in my first time on the Assault Course than I did during the rest of BCT put together...
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You and me both!

And I'm about 30+ years ahead of you!!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
pointguard said:
on the Assault Course?
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I'm not sure if this is one of those things that should be divulged. I knew nothing about it before going in and my cadre refused to talk about specifics (which makes sense).
 
My son said the assault course was the hardest thing he had done in his life...until he spent 4 days in the woods with no food during ESET.
 
I will be going through the admissions process next year, but I was wondering what was the most difficult part of admissions. I come from a big military family (mostly all Marines) they always tell me how horrible their BMT experience was, so I am expecting the worse. How was your BMT experience? How are the people like at the Air Force Academy? Thanks in advanced to who answers my questions.

- Clara
 
BlahuKahuna said:
I did more soul searching in my first time on the Assault Course than I did during the rest of BCT put together...
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I concur. It was brutal, but an awesome experience. To those out there who might be intimidated by this, remember; the mind's image is always worse than the reality. If you want it bad enough, you can make it.

Clara said:
I will be going through the admissions process next year, but I was wondering what was the most difficult part of admissions. I come from a big military family (mostly all Marines) they always tell me how horrible their BMT experience was, so I am expecting the worse. How was your BMT experience? How are the people like at the Air Force Academy? Thanks in advanced to who answers my questions.

- Clara
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BCT is not USMC BMT. It's physical, but it has a different goal: make cadets. It's also run by upperclassmen, as opposed to professional trainers (not to say cadre isnt professional, they sure as hell are. It's just not how they make a living.) I think you've heard a lot of horror stories from USMC BMT, but I am gonna go out on a limb and say BCT isnt that hard. At least, it wasnt this year (in terms of yelling and stuff). I don't want to give away many specifics and I don't know that much about USMC BMT. But BCT is shorter, run by AFA cadets, and does have certain rules, restrictions, and culture that isn't necessarily present at USMC BMT.
 
+1 to HWTBFE.

The beauty of USAFA BCT is that you can't stop the clock. As long as YOU do not give up, blow up, or REALLY REALLY mess up, you will make it through. It's 6 weeks. The A-course is 3 hours, twice. Plus you get a water break! Make yourself a calendar and count down the days to the weekend, Doolie Day Out, 2nd BCT, A-day--they will pass. I promise. It's much better from the other end. And then I hear it's much better after Recognition. And then it's much better as a grad.
 
on that note... the cadre will always talk things up to be worse than they really are. they'll talk up your 2nd BCT cadre. they'll talk up Jack's. they'll talk up the A course. before you do it, it may seem impossible to you. the fact of the matter is.. it can be done. don't spend time fretting about BCT or anything in it. just push through every day and give it the best you've got. it isn't easy, but every one of us before you has done it and gotten through just fine.
 
haleym said:
on that note... the cadre will always talk things up to be worse than they really are. they'll talk up your 2nd BCT cadre. they'll talk up Jack's. they'll talk up the A course. before you do it, it may seem impossible to you. the fact of the matter is.. it can be done. don't spend time fretting about BCT or anything in it. just push through every day and give it the best you've got. it isn't easy, but every one of us before you has done it and gotten through just fine.
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Back when it was hard... Kidding, but things like the assault course and especially Recognition are not things that are discussed on open forums for all of the world to see. You are better off not knowing what is going to happen. To this day, my family, friends, mentors, nor my girlfriend know what happened during recognition.
 
I agree with the previous poster... :thumb:

Ya'll wouldn't even BELIEVE our "Hell Week" in 1980 (class of 1983)....that was how we did recognition.

Each class has its own unique challenges...and becomes a strong class BECAUSE of those challenges!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Doolie Life

HeWantsTheBFE said:
Before I explain, I have to add this little disclaimer: Anything we say reflects our own personal views and not the views of the Academy, the USAF, etc.

So: Me and a couple of my classmates (all 4-degrees, 2017 Respect all, Fear none!) wanted to do something a little fun. We are starting an "ask-me-anything" style thread for any questions people may have about doolie life, BCT, our admissions experience, etc.

Among the many C4C's who I'm sure will pitch in are: Thorgold, Blahukahuna, LFry, HaleyM, and others.

So, what questions do you have for us?
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Hey guys, my question is how do you have the time to do athletics, study time, and military training? Also, if you go to an academy, do you HAVE to play a sport? Thanks, Cynthia :)
 
Crazy_marty16 said:
Hey guys, my question is how do you have the time to do athletics, study time, and military training? Also, if you go to an academy, do you HAVE to play a sport? Thanks, Cynthia :)
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Honestly, you'll find yourself utilizing every spare moment you can get. I'll knock out homework in hour breaks in between classes. Study knowledge whenever I'm waiting in formation, or waiting to eat a meal, or in the restroom. Training sessions and intramurals usually take care of the physical side.

I often find myself prioritizing which homework absolutely needs to get done, or which class has a graded event coming up and change my focus for the day accordingly. Official military duties usually run until around 5:00pm. Academic call to quarters starts around 7:50pm. I get to bed around 11:00pm and wake up around 5:45am.

As far as mandatory sports. If you are not an IC athlete, intramurals are mandatory. There are ways to get out of them if you're good enough to play a club sport or have other obligations. There's a good chance you'll be doing something.
 
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